The Central University of Odisha (CUO) celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples in its campus on August 9 through blended mode. The programme was jointly organized by the Centre for Tribal Welfare and Community Development (CTWCD) and the Department of Sociology of the university.
On the occasion, an interactive programme on the theme the ‘Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge’ was held. CUO VC I/C Prof SK Palita delivered the inaugural address and presided over the meeting. Emphasizing declining traditional knowledge of the indigenous community, Prof Palita encouraged all the participants to work over the preservation of very rich and relevant traditional knowledge of the indigenous community.
Dr Kapila Khemundu, Head I/c, Department of Sociology & Honorary Director, Centre for Tribal Welfare and Community Development delivered the welcome address and enlightened about the indigenous people and addressed the gender aspects of the Indigenous Day.
Prof Panchanan Mohanty, Honorary Chair Professor, Tribal Centre, CUO and internationally reputed linguistics, highlighted the importance of linguistic diversity and the dynamics of indigenous people.
Eminent scholar on tribal language and culture Dr Mahendra Kumar Mishra spoke on indigenous people’s epistemology, how they are rooted with nature, their spirituality and world view and the way they perceive women as a manifestation of mother and its reflections in nature.